Nettles have a somewhat hostile exterior but deep inside they are: delicious, nutritious, medicinal and … good making cloth making - like a slightly prickly neighbour who turns out to be a darling. They also clean up soil after contamination, sucking up heavy metals and other toxins form roadsides and ex industrial sites. Don’t eat those nettles though… They love soil near where people live because, traditionally at least, this ground would be well manured or composted. Nettles from clean soil make umami rich greens, broth or tea. You can also eat them raw if you disarm those stings: watch the video to find out how!